Getting there

So here I am nearing the end of the third cycle and generally speaking it has been more tolerable, although not without it’s problems. My sore eyes gradually improved after seeing the Ophthalmologist and being prescribed Doxycycline (antibiotics) to take for 6 weeks which should coincide with the time I finish all the chemo.

Cycle 3 has also brought with it intense lower leg muscle pain, similar to pain I have felt after running a half marathon. The front of my shins have been so sore but this can be managed with paracetamol so at least it’s not been too bad. On the plus side, the days I have my Dexamethasone have been so productive that I have nearly finished clearing out my office, (18 years worth of designs, samples and drawing equipment), which has been time consuming as I keep being side tracked by remembering how long each design took to produce! I’ve now decided not to go through it all but just bin everything and it’s very cathartic to see the bags piling up ready for the shredder and I’m looking forward to returning the office back into a bedroom once more.

I haven’t been able to exercise at all this cycle other than walk the dogs due to the muscle pains but if I get any respite I will try and get out for some short runs and try and build up my stamina again. I have been out for so many coffees and lunches that I’ve put on a lot of weight (I can’t blame the steroids entirely), so the house is going to become a cake /biscuit/sugar free zone soon otherwise I’ll need bariatric surgery once this has all finished.

My last dose of chemo this cycle is this Friday 20.09.19 and then I have 2 weeks off before the final round starts. I remember the Haematologists saying that they would evaluate the treatment after the third cycle but I haven’t heard anything from them yet as to whether I will have the final cycle or not but assume so unless I hear otherwise. The blood results from the NAC show undetectable levels of Para proteins in my blood and 100% response rate to the chemo so I’m optimistic that I will be in remission at the end of this – long may it last.